Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav Tuesday issued a 10-day ultimatum to ministers in the UP government to “stop delaying files and mend their ways” or lose their jobs. Also, in yet another public ticking off of his son and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Mulayam asked him to keep distance from “sycophants”.

“I have not reviewed the performance of ministers, but I know what you are doing. This is my election. You want to become ministers and also cheat me. It will not work. Will you be able to remain ministers? You will finally be coming to me for tickets (to contest Assembly election),” Mulayam said.

He was addressing a function organised to dedicate several agriculture and power projects in the state at CM’s 5 Kalidas Marg residence here.

Mulayam, who had in the past too, voiced unhappiness over the functioning of his son’s government, lashed out at several ministers who were present during the function.

“What is this style of working? Files are delayed for months. A peon brings files…will a peon run the government ? Prajapati (cabinet Minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati), you had told me about files being delayed for months. The file returned only after I intervened. What sort of officers and employees are there? Take a decision in yes or no immediately. Ministers and officers should mend their ways within 10 days,” Mulayam warned.

He cautioned Akhilesh to keep sycophants at a distance. “Beware of these officials who always say ‘Sir, Sir’. They have a habit of saying Sir. You never speak. Now say something,” Mulayam said pointing towards Akhilesh. Stating that sycophants tarnish image of the party, Mulayam said, “Party is bigger than government. It makes the government.”

Incidentally, Mulayam’s arrival for the function was not mentioned in the official engagement, which was delayed by an hour for him.

Mulayam also asked senior minister Azam Khan to become active at which Azam said: “Ab to kabr me hi jana baki hai… baki zindgi to apke naam kar di (I have given everything to you. Now it is the time for going to grave).”

Among those present during the function was G V K Reddy, whose firm has built the hydroelectric power plant in Srinagar, Uttrakhand, which was inaugurated by Akhilesh today. Pointing towards Reddy, Mulayam remembered his friend-turned-foe and former SP leader Amar Singh. “A leader, who is not in the party, knew everything what I wanted. He had brought Reddy to Lucknow,” Mulayam said without naming Amar Singh.

SP govt woos MBCs, orders 7.5 % quota in 76 govt schemes

In a politically significant move, the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party government Tuesday issued orders for 7.5 per cent proportionate reservation for 17 Most Backward Classes (MBC) in 76 government schemes run by 30 departments.

Earlier, Akhilesh had announced 20 per cent reservation in state government’s various welfare schemes for the minorities.

The state government had earlier written to the central government for inclusion of the said 17 MBCs in the Scheduled Castes (SC) list. “Since no final decision has been taken so far by the Centre on state government’s proposal, Chief Minister has decided to provide proportionate 7.5 per cent reservation to these 17 MBCs in difference government welfare schemes,” an official spokesperson said Tuesday.

The 17 castes include Kahar, Kashyap, Kewat, Mallah, Nishad, Kumhar, Prajapati, Dheewar, Bind, Bhar, Rajbhar, Dheemar, Batham, Turha, Godiya, Manjhi and Machua. Earlier on August 24, 2013, state’s minority welfare department had issued a government order for 20 per cent reservation for minorities in 85 welfare schemes run by 30 government departments.

The social welfare department will be the nodal agency for ensuring the implementation of the order on MBCs on monthly basis and various departments will send their reports every three months. There will be, however, no relaxation in the eligibility criterion of the welfare schemes. The departments include agriculture, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, panchayti raj, backward class welfare, vocational education and handicapped welfare.

In a bid to woo MBC votes, SP had undertaken a social justice yatra across the state. The yatra, however, boomeranged with remaining 16 castes getting annoyed. The ruling party had also held a sammelan of MBCs in 2013 where it highlighted its commitment towards them. To appease them, CM Akhilesh Yadav also had declared public holiday on Nishadraj birth anniversary on April 5.